Piles of Smiles

Although fall doesn't officially arrive here in MN until next Saturday, it was definitely in the air today!  It is such a welcome relief from the heat and humidity over the last few months!  Here is a card to help bring in the season!  The background was made by stamping with Versamark, and then brayering over the top with my Autumn Kaleidacolor stamp pad.  Fast, and simple!!!!!  Love the saying, too.  It is by TAC.  The image is an old Stampin Up one from a set called Costume Bears.

You Color My World!!!!!!!

So........ I was going through some supplies, deciding WHAT to use up next!  Can you guess what part of this card was from a 'stash' of stuff just sitting around!?!?!?!?  The striped piece you see on the card is actually a journal card that I got on a sheet from October Afternoon.  I have several different designs, and was determined to use one as an element on a card!  The boot stamp is a TAC stamp, and the saying, well, that's another story!  I knew I wanted that sentiment - so would you believe I bought an ENTIRE word set just for THAT one?  It is by Paper Smooches.  Hope the card brings a smile to your face!

Happy Anniversary!

Needed to make an Anniversary card over the weekend - didn't have time to scan it - so took a picture instead..................

Love my Art Impressions stamps!  The hardest part on this one was figuring out which colors to use.  I think it turned out okay, though!  I am not exactly sure where I got the saying - but I love it!  The inside sentiment says:  So you better start putting name tags on your underwear.

silly, silly!!!!

You Lift Me Up!

I haven't done a lot of cardmaking this month, but finally got back at it tonight.  At the Expo at the end of July, I bought some stamps from a FABULOUS company called Fun Stampers Journey.  One of the sets I bought was used on this card!   It will be one of the cards done in my September card class.

Walk in the Garden

The other contest at the Expo was Walk in the Garden.  I had a lot of fun making this card, and REALLY thought I had a good chance of winning.  But - that's okay..... it WAS fun and challenging to participate.  I will give it a shot again next year.

The stamp set used is an old The Angel Company set that I always loved called - Old Friend.  I used my Scor-Bug and Scor-Pal to make the Grids for the various sections on this one.

Chill Out!!!!!

So......... there was an AWESOME Rubber Stamp Expo/Show last weekend in Bloomington, MN.  They had a card contest, and I submitted three cards.

This contest was called Chill Out.  So - I interpreted it as winter, and then relaxing - so made two cards.  The top card (winter) was picked for 2nd place.  I was THRILLED!  I used paper and stamps from The Angel Company (still miss 'em!!!!!!)

2nd place winner at Rubber Stamp expo!!!!!

This is the other interpretation I did.  I used one of my silly Art Impressions stamps, and paper pieced using paper from (yep - you guessed it..... The Angel Company)

Christmas in July

There is just something fun about saying, Christmas in July - especially when it comes to getting a jump start on your Holiday Cards.  The cards here are all that were made at my Stamp a Stack this month!!!!  It is one of my favorite classes to put together each year!  I used stamps and supplies from lots of different companies.  That is the one thing I really like about offering classes, but not representing any one company.  Perhaps you'll get some inspiration for YOUR cards this year!!!!

You Keep Me in Stitches

yikes - I just realized how long it has been since I added a card.  Life seems to be getting in the way of my cardmaking. I will try to be better!!!!!

This card was once again - using up supplies I have had sitting around.  I bought some doilies a while back - saw some ideas with them.  Finally dug 'em out - this is what I came up with.  This is a card that we did in my June card class.  I like how it turned out.  The cardstock looks black, but it is really navy.  I liked the color combo I chose!  (I am partial to purples!!!!)

Pink and Brown Delight

Doing classes and swaps keeps me using my supplies, and coming up with new ideas!  It keeps me motivated!  I signed up for a swap that requires using 2 different Embossing Folders.  It was definitely a challenge for me.  This is the result - and I am very pleased with how it turned out!  My other goal - use up stuff I have sitting around!!!!!

The front of the card uses the Manhattan Rose Embossing Folder by Stampin Up.  The one on the back part of the card is by Cuttlebug.  I used Cor'dinations cardstock (brown on one side, pink on the other), then sanded to highlight the pink.   This is a special fold card - with the measurements being 5 1/2 x 11.  I sponged the inside white layer with brown ink to tie it all together.

Victorian

While this card seems to appear complicated - it was quite simple once I figured out all of the layers!  The stamp sets are old Stampin Up (don't know the names - sorry).  I like how this one turned out - a bit Victorian looking.  It could be used for many occasions!

Shake Those Tail Feathers!!!!!!!

I have posted cards with this stamp set before - I just LOVE it!  It is a TAC set called Tail Feathers.  You can't really tell by the picture - but this is a 'fun fold' card.  It isn't your ordinary A2 card, that's for sure.  The patterned paper is from October Afternoon.  If you look hard, you will be able to see the false eyelashes I attached!  I've had 'em forever - waiting for the right card, and it just worked this time!  WOOH HOO!  oh.......... and if you REALLY like this one - well - it will be one of the cards at my June card class!  I am selling my card class kits now, too, so even if you aren't local - you can get on my list to receive class invites.  Just drop me a line with your email addy!

Button Flowers

I saw this idea and thought to myself, what a Wonderful way to use up some of the buttons I have been collecting!  I have enough buttons to make - well - let's just say - a lot of these cards!
Stems were stamped with an old TAC stamp set - I am not sure of the name.

Take Time to Smell the Flowers

So...... I am new to using DIGI's, and have been buying, them and saving lots of files.  I am sure you are SO suprised!  I finally made a card for the FIRST time using a digi!  It is Sweet Smells by Digi Doodle Shop.  When I saw it, I thought of my friend Christine, and her love of pigs!  I just had to have it!  The sentiment is one I have had for a while and I have no idea where I got it. 

Colored with COPICs and SPICA pens - used some nestabities and some Basic Grey paper that has been sitting around for a while!

Hope it brings a smile to your face!

Outlawz Color Challenge - Spring Tulips

I am enjoying participating in these challenges from Outlawz!  It gives me motivation to just play in my crafting room!!!!!!  This one was a color challenge - with a twist.  The twist was to use stripes.  I added the Bakers Twine for that effect.

The image is an old PSX stamp I never could get rid of.  I love tulips - and love this big bouquet.  I had fun coming up with color combinations with my COPICs for this challenge!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

I joined a group that has challenges, and more challenges. It is called Outlawz.   I am excited to start taking part in them!  You can learn more about this group (and maybe even choose to join!!!!!)  This challenge was to make a card or project that was inspired by a song!  The song I chose was Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper!!!!   Stamps and paper are from The Angel Company. 

With Love Butterfly

I recently purchased a Grand Nestailities Die Set of these FANTASTIC butterflies!  I did some playing - and this is what I came up with.  It would be a wonderful wedding card!  I liked it so much, I decided we will make this at my May card class.  The enter of the butterfly is a Stick Pin with a Heart at the top that I purchased last week when Archivers had 43% off ALL embellishmets.  FUN FUN FUN!

Ladybugs

Well........ we had spring in March, now it seems like we have winter in April. Only in Minnesota!!!!!!!!!! I was in the mood to play with some 'summer' theme stamps - so took out one of my ladybug sets from The Angel Company. The papers used are all Basic Grey Infuse collection. I paper pieced the wings, and popped 'em up. It looks much better in real life - but I still wanted to share!

May Your Day be Filled with Adventures

After teaching two COPIC classes this past weekend, and a card class, I was SO in the mood to create! I decided to play with a new set of stamps I purchased from the Stampin Place. I couldn't resist buying this set after going to the Balloon Fiesta! The dies, well, I've had 'em for a while! They are from AMUSE - and - they hadn't been used yet, either! (are you seeing a trend?). The sentiment is one of my favorites from the TAC set Bug of Fun. I loved coloring the balloon in all of the bright colors!

It Takes a Long Time to Grow an Old Friend

I love this saying! It is so true!!!!!!

The base for this card was my Flowerpot Nestabilties. I stamped the flower pot using an old SU background stamp I had. The image is from Wonder and Joy, and the words from Old Friend (both TAC sets). Rather than use my COPICs this time - I again used my watercolor pencils.

Love is Like a Butterfly

With the warm weather in MN (80 degrees in March!!!!) I am starting to think SPRING!!!!!!! I enjoyed using this TAC doublesided paper on this card. I took out something different for coloring for a change - my Watercolor Pencils. Although I absolutely love my COPICs, it is fun to play with something else once in a while too! The image is from a TAC set called Flutterby. I'm not sure where the sentiment is from - but it fit the card perfectly!

Golden Oldies

I love the Golden Oldies stamps from Art Impressions. They just make me giggle! When I travel - part of my relaxation is coloring! Well - I was visiting AZ last week - and spent some of time with these images. Hope you enjoy 'em!

Does this Stinger Make my Butt Look Big?

I saw this stamp by Rubbernecker Designs at an Expo last fall in St. Paul. I really got a giggle out of it - and have finally used it! My March class will feature five 'not so serious' cards! (this is one of them!) It was fun to dig out all of these stamps.

For added texture on the Bee - I used the COPIC Colorless Blender refill along with a piece of terrycloth. You can't see it so well in the picture - but the wings were cut out and popped up.

Spring is COMING!

I belong to a Rubber Stamping Club - and each Quarter we get a kit with supplies. We need to use EVERYTHING in the kit to make a card. It is fun to see what others come up with. This was mine! The kit included the pink cardstock, the green cardstock, the patterned paper (it was two sided) and the white flower. I used a TAC Image from Springtime Garden (I know it is early to think Spring - but it brings CHEER to a person!). I colored the flower and my clear Gem with COPICs - as well as the main image!!!! Had fun making this Gatefold card!

It's Your Day!!!!!!!

I am working on a class for Feb where all cards feature yarn/fiber/ribbon. I had fun creating this one! Used the Deckled Rectangles Nestabilities. Stamps used were Swirly Gigs and Cowboy Boots (The Angel Company). Used my white Signo Pen for the dots on the background. Found some twine in my drawer to add the final touch!

Chick Chick Hooray!!!!!!

I made two of these cards to send to very special people in my life that have had HAPPY things happen to them recently! I love this stamp set - Tail Feathers - from The Angel Company. Colored with COPICS - and stamped/layered with Nestabilities.